Kicks of the Week: USMNT sets roster for friendly

By Amon Kehr

Sports Blogger

USMNT sets roster for November friendly

(Devin Wilber, O’Colly)

United States Men’s National Team interim manager Dave Sarachan announced his lineup for Tuesday’s friendly against Portugal. This is the first game since the catastrophic failure against Trinidad and Tobago that kept the U.S. out of the World Cup. After failing in qualifying with a veteran squad, the U.S. is going through a youth movement with its new squad. 12 of the 24 players are under the age of 24. Three of the players, Weston Mckennie, Cameron Carter-Vickers and Josh Sargent, have never been capped. All three players are under the age of 20, Sargent being the youngest at 17.

Christian Pulisic was not called for the friendly so he can stay with Borussia Dortmund. The U.S. will also be without notable players Michael Bradley, Clint Dempsey and Jozy Altidore, who all seemed to have been replaced for young players. Although this lineup is different than previous ones, it really does not mean much until there is a permanent manager.

Tale of two managers

The Montreal Impact and New England Revolution have found their managers for next season, but each club’s approach is different. The Revolutions hired former USMNT goalie Brad Friedel as their manager. Friedel has a great resume as a player, having been with big clubs like Tottenham, Liverpool and Galatasaray. As a manager, his resume is severely lacking, the only team he has managed is the U.S. under-19 team. Montreal took a different approach for hiring a manager.

Rémi Garde is the new manager of the Impact. Before coming to North America, the former French defender managed Lyon in France and Aston Villa in England. While managing Lyon, Garde won the French Cup and Trophee des Champions. His time at Aston Villa was less successful as the club was relegated from the Premier League in his only season as manager. He doesn’t have the largest resume, but he does have experience managing a top level European club, which is more than some MLS and coaches and much more than Brad Friedel.

West Ham hired David Moyes

Slaven Bilic is out as West Ham manager and David Moyes will take over. West Ham is in 18th place in the table with only nine points. This is Moyes’ sixth club that he will manage. He last managed Sunderland this past season. He is most known for managing Manchester United during the 2013-14 season. West Ham’s next three matches will be against Watford, Leicester City and Everton.